Mesquite Tree Bugs

Identification

• The giant mesquite bug is a likely pest of the mesquite tree. The insect is native to the desert and is commonly seen on trees during summer. Other likely bugs include the mesquite twig girdler, usually seen on trees during the start and middle of summer, and the vine mealybug. Host trees of the vine mealybug also include pomegranate, avocado, apple, citrus and grape.

Description

• Giant mesquite bugs are 2-inch-long, winged insects that can fly. The black wings are brightly patterned with yellow veins. The long antennae and legs have black and red bands. The male bugs have enlarged femurs on their hind legs. Vine mealy bugs are segmented, flat, soft insects with pink bodies covered in a powdery wax. The mesquite twig girdler is cylindrical, elongated beetle with long antennae, and it is considered a minor pest of the tree.

Damage

• The giant mesquite bugs infest the foliage of trees, and feed on the sap from new leaves and green pods. Vine mealybugs infest and feed on both the aboveground tree parts as well as the roots affecting the water-conducting ability of infested trees. The mesquite twig girdler eats its way around the stems of the tree and lays eggs in these grooves. The resulting damage is mostly cosmetic in nature and leads to the browning of infested stems.

Control

• There is no control necessary for the giant mesquite bugs and the mesquite twig girdler, since the insects cause only minimal damage to trees, according to the University of Arizona Extension. Introduce natural predators, like parasitic wasps, into infested trees to control the vine mealybug. You can also use insecticidal soap and narrow-range oil to control the pests without harming any beneficial insects in the tree.